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Rosenstein ED, Kushner LJ, Kramer N, Kazandjian G. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2003;68:213-218. The anti-inflammatory effects of both n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been demonstrated in [...]

While first empirical studies on sexual aspects of human-robot interaction mostly focus on male users’ acceptance, there is no empirical research on how females react to robotic replications of women. To empirically investigate whether robots can evoke the same kind of jealousy-related discomfort as do other women, we conducted an online study in which 848 heterosexual female participants from Germany reacted to the idea that their partner had sexual intercourse with either another woman, a human-like female-looking robot, or a machinelike female-looking robot. The results revealed dimensions in which the jealousy-related discomfort was higher for female competitors compared to the robotic ones (e.g., discomfort caused by the idea of sexual intercourse),whereas in others the robots evoked the same or higher levels of jealousy-related discomfort (e.g., discomfort caused by feelings of inadequacy, discomfort caused by shared emotional and time resources). The variance in the discomfort regarding sexual interactions between one’s partner and robotic competitors could not be explained by personal characteristics (such as self-esteem, subjective physical attractiveness) but rather by technology-related variables (e.g., negative attitude towards robots, a tendency towards anthropomorphism) and the attitude towards sexual nonexclusivity in relationships. The study provides first empirical insights into a question which is of relevance for a responsible handling of sexualized technologies.

The article presents a research related to the production of reinforced high precision forging dies. It cites that high precision forging dies having a relatively low deterioration rate is required in an economical production of near-net-shape forging parts. It shows that through the combined applications of material science, metal forming, and production engineering, thin titanium-containing materials shaped in a multilayer structure can increase the wear resistance of forging dies.

Study Objective: Our objective was to determine whether baseline polysomnography, cephalometry, and anthropometry data could predict uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) success or failure.Design: We retrospectively reviewed polysomnography, cephalometry, and anthropometry data from patients who underwent UPPP for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Setting: A university medical center.Patients: OSA was diagnosed by polysomnography in 46 patients who underwent UPPP surgery for their sleep disorder.Interventions: UPPP surgery with/or without tonsillectomy.Measurements and Results: The mean patient age was 43 years, and the mean body mass index was 32.5 kg/m(2). The mean presurgical apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 45, and the mean baseline nadir oxygen saturation was 81%. Successful surgery was defined as a reduction in AHI to < 10 or to < 20 with a 50% reduction from the patient's baseline AHI. Of the 46 patients, 16 were successfully treated and 30 did not respond to surgical treatment. A mandibular-hyoid distance (MP-H) > 20 mm was found to be significantly (p = 0.05) predictive of failure of UPPP. When stepwise regression analysis was performed utilizing postsurgical AHI as the dependent variable and presurgical AHI, age, body mass index, baseline nadir O(2) saturation, and five cephalometric measurements as independent variables, MP-H distance significantly (r = 0.524; p = 0.01) correlated positively with postsurgical AHI. The distance between the superior point of a line-constructed plane of the sphenoidale (parallel to Frankfort horizontal) and a point at the intersection of the palatal plane perpendicular to the hyoid correlated negatively with postsurgical AHI (r = 0.586; p = 0.05). By creating a logistic model of this data, an MP-H distance < 21 mm, an angle created by point A to the nasion to point B < 3 degrees, and the presence of a baseline AHI < 38 enhanced the predictability of UPPP success.Conclusions: The presence of a baseline AHI < 38 and an MP-H < or = 20 mm, and the absence of retrognathia are predictors of improvement after UPPP. Based on these findings, we would advocate the continued evaluation of cephalometric measurements and careful consideration of surgical treatment options for OSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]